Elder Abuse

Elder Abuse, Neglect,and Self-Neglect

Elder Abuse and Neglect Intervention for Limited English Speaking ElderlyThe identification, interpretation for and intervention of elder abuse and neglect program has expanded to include cases of self-neglect. Ethnic agencies staff work to protect the older person and maintain their dignity and rightful place in the family. They provide services to help the older person and the whole family.

Elder Abuse and Neglect in Ethnic Communities

Abuse is most often emotional in nature, sometimes is also neglect

Problems can come from immigration adjustment

Abusers are adult children – often in-law children

Can be devastating to the older person to have family problems – they are dependent on the family for everything

Denial of problem is personal and cultural

For example:

In China . . .

Everyone in China has a job

Hospitals and doctors are nearby

The social support system is strong

The group is more important than the individual

Family Dynamics in China

In China, the family honors and respects the elder

Adult children are responsible for their parents by law

The elderly generation has the resources – house and money

Younger generation lives with the son’s parents

After immigration

Here, society provides enough services to help – families do not feel responsible

But, elderly can’t use mainstream services

Parents are seen as old and useless

Conditions like Alzheimer’s disease are not understood

Another example:

Family Dynamics in IndiaStrong obligation in the culture to care for elderly parents
No concept of yours and mine – everything belongs to the family
Whole community helps to care for the parentsMore on families . . .

Doctors make home visits

Elderly live with son and his wife

Many women do not work outside the home

Even middle-classes have servants

After immigration . . .

Here, daughters-in-law do not have time – they have professional careers

They do not feel the same obligation

They may be resentful of parents’ demands

Families are isolated

Language and transportation barriers keep elderly isolated

More on immigration

Son-in-law is often a problem – he would never have in-laws living in his home back home

CLESE – We are our 54 Members!

CLESE incorporated in 1989. Our founding members served as an early advisory council to the Chicago Department on Aging’s ethnic elderly needs assessment in 1987. CLESE continues improving the lives of Limited English Speaking Elderly with advocacy, leadership and education. CLESE continues to grow and serve a larger community in 2014!